TAHLEQUAH DAILY PRESS — Alford Drinkwater, representative of Advanced Environmental Recycling Technologies, revealed plans for a new manufacturing plant near Watts during Tuesday’s meeting of the Oklahoma Scenic Rivers Commission.

Based in Springdale, Ark., AERT manufactures a wood and plastic composite material used in decking, trim and privacy fencing, and is planning a 900-acre plant adjacent to the Illinois River. According to Drinkwater, the plan will span five years and three phases, which includes building operations for polyethylene processing, wood fiber processing and extrusion.

The total investment over the five years will run $42.85 million, and has the potential to create approximately 265 jobs upon completion. The process for making the composite material recycles plastic grocery bags, plastic cartons and wood fiber, fusing it into a wood-like material for building.

As with any manufacturing operation, area environmentalists are concerned about the danger it poses to the Illinois River.

“We are making it our commitment to get zero discharge from the plant over time,” said Drinkwater. “We’re not there yet, but it is our plan.”

OSRC Commissioner Ed Brocksmith, also a member of STIR, is concerned about the location of the operation, and asked why AERT chose this specific area.

“The Brooks Family owned the land and are large stockholders in the company,” said Drinkwater. We are fairly landlocked in Springdale, and needed to locate somewhere we could grow and expand.”

Brocksmith pointed out the Illinois River Watershed is “one of the most environmentally sensitive areas in the Southwest.”

“And you’re wanting to put a facility adjacent to that watershed,” said Brocksmith. “Can you assure the OSRC and the people of Oklahoma that this factory, having located to a scenic river, will not nor ever will have an adverse impact on the river?”

Drinkwater said he believed he could.

“Just like our commitment is to recycling water on-site,” said Drinkwater. “Part of our concern was application of water to pastures well away from the river; however, that’s against Oklahoma rules. Maybe in the future we can solicit your support in finding ways to best handle the situation.”

Tim Ward, of the Oklahoma Department of Environmental Quality, was on hand to answer commissioner’s questions concerning permitting and discharge from the factory.

“ODEQ will require specific permits that will include a priority pollutant scan,” said Ward. “There are a number of permits AERT will have to obtain before operations can begin. One significant issue is that not one drop of storm water can leave the property; that means not one drop from a roof or from a vehicle leaving the property. It’s up to AERT to prove to the ODEQ they have zero discharge. They have to have the facilities to contain stormwater that runs from the facility.”

Ward said ODEQ has been working with AERT on permitting issues, as they have questions about containment. Representatives from both ODEQ and AERT are to meet again April 25 to discuss the matter, and AERT has three permits to obtain before they can proceed.

STIR has hired a consultant, Tom Alexander, a hydrologist from Tulsa, to investigate the potential hazards a manufacturing plant could pose to the watershed.

“I like what you do [recycling],” said Alexander. “I just don’t like where you plan to do it. It’s virtually impossible to assure a zero discharge, signed affidavit or not - especially in this area where we have voluminous rainfall. I’m not sure it can be done. I’d like to know what kind of ‘teeth’ the ODEQ has to keep things in check. I don’t like where your putting your operation, and think it will ultimately have an adverse effect on the river.”

In addition to the presentation by AERT, Kara Williams and Judy Duncan, also of the ODEQ, discussed an educational program they’ve designed for visitors to the Illinois River this summer on bacteria and swimming safety.

According to Williams, the ODEQ has designed both posters and flyers warning recreational visitors to the area of potential hazards in swimming in the Illinois River.

“We have had problems across the state with bacteria,” said Williams. “The reason we’re starting this campaign with the Illinois River is its attraction for recreation.”

Williams said bacteria in fresh water areas is nothing new, and has been around for years; however, they felt it necessary to develop an outreach education program so visitors could make informed decisions about the best times to swim.

“The poster and flyer can be tailored for other areas in the state,” said Williams.

After reviewing the draft fact sheet, titled “Swimming in the Illinois River,” he asked Williams why it couldn’t be titled, “Swimming in Scenic Rivers.”

Williams reiterated the amount of traffic was the reason for targeting the Illinois River.

According to the fact sheet, the information gleaned from monitoring the Illinois River by the U.S. Geological Survey and the Oklahoma Water Resources Board indicates that there are times when the water in the river exceeds EPA’s recommended standards for human contact.

“When swimming in rivers, lakes and streams, one can be almost certain that some bacteria, viruses, protozoa and other microorganisms are present in the water,” states the fact sheet. “A small portion of these microorganisms is associated with various human illnesses.”

Swimmers can take a number of steps to reduce exposure to waterborne microorganisms, including:

• Not swimming in water with a temperature greater than 80 degrees.

• Not swimming if you have cuts or scrapes.

• Not swimming after a heavy rain.

• Wearing earplugs and swim goggles.

• Showering with soap and water after swimming.

Some commissioners voiced concerns about a perceived alarmist attitude toward swimming in the river, saying it could be detrimental to float operators’ livelihoods.

Duncan indicated the measures outlined in the fact sheet were not swimming-prohibitive, but were to allow visitors to make informed decisions. “The rivers and lakes probably have far less bacteria in them than the pond at grandpa’s farm,” said Duncan. “But people associate grandpa’s farm with safety, when it’s not necessarily safe without exercising caution.”



What’s next

The next meeting of the Oklahoma Scenic Rivers Commission will be held at 5:30 p.m., Tuesday, June 17, at the Armory Municipal Center in Tahlequah.